One doctor's frank COVID-19 post that's gone viral
A passionate doctor has made headlines around the globe after an emotional post regarding the mass panic of the coronavirus could create more damage than the disease itself.
Doctor Abdu Sharkawy of the University of Toronto’s Division of Infectious Disease took to Facebook on March 6 to tell people he is not frightened of the virus, but rather the implications of mass panic.
As a specialist in his field for more than 20 years, the medical expert explained that his profession has taken him across city hospitals in Toronto to the poorest towns of Africa where people are diagnosed with HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis, TB and SARS.
He admitted there is not much he hasn’t been exposed to in his years of work.
“And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared,” he said in his post which has been shared nearly one million times.
Dr Sharkawy also went on to admit that while he does worry about the “implications of a novel infectious agent” that continues to find new footholds in different soil — it’s more the world’s reaction that has got him worried
The medical expert said what scares him the most about the disease is the “loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic” where people have begun to stockpile “obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world”.
“I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others.
“I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they ‘probably don’t have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know …’”
Dr Sharkawy's comments were referring to countries including the US, UK and Australia where stores have been left high and dry of the bare essential items such as toilet paper and hand sanitiser.
He warned people to expect the virus to continue to spread, but that it would “not likely do much harm” and advised against panic.
“I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be cancelled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialise. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games … that could be kyboshed too. Can you even imagine?” he said.
The Toronto doctor also went to express his worry over the “epidemic fears” which might limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business “and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession”.
However, his biggest fear is the message we are telling our children when faced with a threat.
“Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.”
Dr Sharkawy said Covid-19 is nowhere near over, adding that it will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point.
“Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviours and ‘fight for yourself above all else’ attitude could prove disastrous,” he said.
“I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education.”
The medical expert explained our society has an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases.
“Let’s meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophising.”
“Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts. Our children will thank us for it.”